By Michelle Carter LaGuerre
“Benji’s Hour,” directed by Gabriel Kahane, premiered regionally at Munson in Utica, drawing over 140 Mohawk Valley residents despite challenging weather conditions. This deeply emotional film focuses on the life of Benji, a troubled teenager navigating the bleak realities of his dysfunctional family. Forced to work at a wig shop for cancer patients, Benji’s journey is profoundly affected by his interactions with a guarded woman and the warm-hearted shop owner. Key moments include a poignant exploration of addiction and a harrowing depiction of a cancer patient resorting to theft to afford life-saving medication, highlighting the human cost of America’s healthcare crisis.
Filmed entirely in Utica and surrounding areas, the movie showcases local landmarks, including the iconic Utica Club brewery and a house on Memorial Parkway, tying the story closely to its setting. The film, which premiered internationally at the Calgary International Film Festival, benefited from the support of Paul Buckley, Utica’s Film Commissioner. His efforts to create a welcoming environment for independent filmmakers were instrumental in making this production a reality, with Hamilton College student Paul Kahane expressing gratitude for the opportunity to film locally.
